Live from Wimbledon 2023: Moov creates virtual set for WBS

Moov created a new virtual studio for this year’s Wimbledon Championships, building a space that gave broadcasters another option for conducting in-person or remote interviews during the tennis tournament.

Moov’s Adam Lawrence in the virtual studio

The new one-on-one studio for Wimbledon Broadcast Services (WBS) is one element of WBS’ multi-million-pound, two-year project that includes a new Media Theatre for press conferences and new stand-up presentation positions for broadcasters.

And, with the Moov-designed and operated green screen studio positioned across the corridor from the Media Theatre, it helps to fulfil one of the aims of the overhaul which was to make it easier for players to move between press conferences and interviews with broadcasters.

Moov creative director Adam Lawrence says the premise for the design was to create a space which looks as though it is part of the grounds, taking inspiration from hotels and rooftop gardens.

“The shot is pretty much placed correctly,” explains Lawrence to SVG Europe during the Championships.

“If it was outside, this is roughly where it would be, with No.1 Court to the left and the church in the right place. So we’ve had lots of people see it on screen, and then ask how they get to it, which is great.”

Green screen virtual set was built using Unreal Engine running on Brainstorm, with Blackmagic Ultimatt for keying and Sony PTZ cameras

“We’re running Unreal Engine 4.27, because that’s where broadcast is at the moment, but it does mean we can still be really creative. It’s all about smoke and mirrors at the end of the day, and how far you can push it.”

The studio was available for all rights holders during the Championships, with various Eurosport regions among the most prolific users of it, conducting down-the-line interviews via Zoom with players.

As well as providing an indoor option during rainy conditions, the studio was also used a lot at the end of the day’s play, when it might have been too cold or dark to conduct interviews outside.

Read more Live from Wimbledon 2023: Paul Davies on mic’ing up players and boosting behind the scenes access